City of Kawartha Lakes celebrates Earth Week with an ongoing commitment to sustainability

• Creating a Corporate Energy Management Plan to responsibly track and conserve all forms of energy used by the municipality. The plan can be found at http://www.city.kawarthalakes.on.ca/city-hall/reports. Since 2014, 14 of the City’s largest energy consuming facilities have met their goal of reducing consumption by 10%. Among those seeing the highest decrease are City of Kawartha Lakes Police and the Lindsay Municipal Service Centre.

• Executing the Integrated Waste Management Strategy which includes the Clear Bag program. Since January 1, 2017, the Clear Bag program has been delivering well above anticipated levels of diversion due to the support of the public. We are on track to divert 20% more recyclables from our landfills. Over the course of the year, this amounts to saving more than 400 garbage trucks full of waste from entering our landfills.

• Develop and execute Low Impact Development Standards for any new developments to ensure sustainable growth.

• Finalize Lake Management Plans to assist in future decision making to keep our lakes healthy.

• Take a leadership role in developing the Kawartha Lakes Healthy Environment Plan, a community sustainability plan that will quantify the greenhouse gas emissions in Kawartha Lakes and take action to reduce our carbon footprint. Multiple community partners will be invited to participate using the Canadian Partners for Climate Protection model. A presentation will be made to Council on April 18 concerning Climate Change by the consultants working with the City on this plan.

“We value our land and clean water. To keep it this way, it will take some sacrifices and consistent effort. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and I trust that Council will continue to balance the need for responsible growth with protecting our environment,” commented Mayor Andy Letham.

Also in 2016, the City renewed its partnership with Fleming College, Frost Campus, home of the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences.

“The City offers students real life learning opportunities and in turn the City benefits from the quality work the students perform including tree maintenance and planting. Most recently, students presented to Council on the impact of the Emerald Ash Borer on trees within the city limits and possibilities for a management strategy,” shared Katrina Van Osch-saxon, Professor, Urban Forestry and Arboriculture programs, Fleming College.

“It’s been rewarding to see the ways students are contributing to our community. In the past two years, we were able to plant over 300 caliper size trees while providing practical educational opportunities for students,” said Ryan Smith, Parks and Open Space Supervisor for the City of Kawartha Lakes. “Thanks to another student project, we now have an inventory of all street trees in Lindsay and a system to update and manage our urban forest.”

Earth Week Programs and Events
Sunday April 16 to Saturday April 22 is Earth Week and Kawartha Lakes offers a variety of opportunities to participate. From planting seeds and trees to cleaning up streets, people are coming together to green and clean Kawartha Lakes.

• The City of Kawartha Lakes is supporting Community Clean Ups throughout Earth Week. Please contact our municipal office at 705-324-9411 extension 3520 to find out how we can assist your community group, school, workplace or neighbourhood to organize a Clean Up. Information and sign up form available online at www.city.kawarthalakes.on.ca/residents/solid-waste-services/20-minute-earth-week-clean-up

• Plant a Seed, Watch it Grow at the Lindsay Public Library branch An Earth Week activity for the whole family, Mondays at 6 pm, April 17 – May 15

• ‘Put Down Roots’ in Fenelon Falls on Earth Day City of Kawartha Lakes Environmental Advisory Committee (KLEAC) hosts a day of tree planting with music and free coffee (bring your reusable cup). Russ Baptiste Ball Park on Colborne Street in Fenelon Falls, Saturday April 22, 10am- 2pm, rain or shine.

• Visit Gamiing Nature Centre for their Earth Day event on April 22 1884 Pigeon Lake Road, Bobcaygeon For more information please contact: 705-928-0263 or visit www.gamiing.org

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For more information please contact:
Cheri Davidson
Manager of Communications, Advertising and Marketing
705-324-9411 extension 1355
cdavidson@city.kawarthalakes.on.ca